Stroller for a 5yr

[jmchone0830]

We have never been to WDW before. I don't have a stroller for my DD(5) as she doesn't use them anymore. However, I have been reading that there will be so much walking. I'm afraid we'll get half way through the park and she'll decide that she wants to be carried or ride on DH shoulders the rest of the day. Would you consider renting a stroller? Are the park strollers bid enough for a 5 yr old. She's pretty tall for her age and she weighs about 55. Also, I've been reading about signs people have made for their strollers while there. What are these? Can you make them anyway you want them? What size shoud they be? Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

 

[disney_fan1972]

My DD is 6y/o and I bring my own stroller.

The stroller is a fantastic investment... even if we didn't have one of our own we would absolutely rent one for the day. In addition to holding your daughter when she is tired of walking think of all the other things you would bring with you on a day in the park. Drinks, maps, things you purchase during the day in the park... when she is walking use the stroller to carry all the extra stuff you seem to need.

From what I have seen the double strollers are more comforatable for the older kids, just because they need a little more room and when it is parade time your daughter will have a shaded place to chill out and enjoy the parade. My suggestion to you is to make your vacation one that everyone can enjoy... remember, you are on vacation as well... not just your daughter so don't strain yourself to carry her when she is tired and belive me she will get tired!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[jmchone0830]

Thank you for the response. I hadn't thought of getting a double stroller!
You're right, with the three kids, it would be nice to have a place to put all the stuff that accumulates through the day.

Thank you,
Josie

 

[livndisney]

You know just yesterday I said how much easier EPCOT was with a stroller. My DD is 6 and I bring my own stroller. It makes a WORLD of difference. We can go all day without a meltdown. She can sit and snack if she wants, she has even fallen asleep in it (which I NEVER thought I would see). She is not being "cut off" from me (by a group of people). I just hang the bag on the back and away we go.

 

[PoohHappens]

We used one on our last trip with our 5 year old. We brought our own. The cost for the rental X multiple days was more than enough to purchase a new one, but we had ours from the last trip. We use a european umbrella type in that it folds, but is not a flimsy and short as an umbrella stroller. Like a mclaren, inglesina etc..... We thought our child might be too old, but he was glad to have it and ride. Epecially sometimes at the hotel even things can be a long ride, especially when sleepy at the end of the night.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you want to buy your own, you might have trouble finding a stroller for a tall 5 yr old who weighs 55 pounds.

The WDW strollers are pretty big. For older kids, a double might be better, but for a 5 yr old, a single might do just fine.
Here's a picture of the singles (they are the same at each park, just different colors). The doubles are the same, just double width.

 

[jmchone0830]

Thanks for the picture! You're right, I do think she might fit in the single stroller. What size signs do they use for the back of them. I've heard people say that they make their own signs??

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I just ordered the Maclaren Volo for our DS4. We tried it out at local store first, he fit in it well and said it was very comfy. It holds up to 55lbs and it steered VERY easily with him in it. It was also VERY lightweight. It wasn't cheap for an umbrella stroller, but I think it will be worth it. Good luck!

 

[KariC]

Just got back, and I'm glad (I think) that we took our double stroller. I found that the five year old twins rode more than the 7 month old baby brother. He was in a carrier.....

As far as "signs"....when you rent a stroller, they give you a half-sheet of cardstock (so 5.5x8.5 maybe) to write your last name on. You slide it in the see-thru plastic sleeve on the back of the stroller to indicate "Back off, this is the Smith's family stroller"......(don't really write that. Just write Smith Family.....it should indicate to others to back off. KWIM?)

When you have your own, though, it is very very very handy when they fall asleep after a long day. If you rent, you have to turn it in at the park, and then convince your child to sleep walk to the transportation. Then, after they have slept on the bus/boat/monorail/car, you then need to convince them to walk to their hotel room. This has proven to be difficult.

ETA: we take a double jogger. kids swear they're more comfortable. this jogger has never been jogged with. however, it works well at WDW, and we saw lots of other families with this stroller on this trip. (we took it 2.5 years ago, didn't take it one year ago....which is why I know how hard it is when your kids are sleep walking. Or not sleep walking and pregnant mommy must carry one).

 

[livndisney]

I just ordered the Maclaren Volo for our DS4. We tried it out at local store first, he fit in it well and said it was very comfy. It holds up to 55lbs and it steered VERY easily with him in it. It was also VERY lightweight. It wasn't cheap for an umbrella stroller, but I think it will be worth it. Good luck!

I LOVE my Volo! LOVE IT!!!!!! It is so easy to push even when loaded with DD and backpack.

 

[brehan9403]

I love my Volo also. Not sure how big your son is but my 4 yr old is 40" and 42 lbs and she fits perfectly in it.

 

[karajeboo]

The first time we took DD to WDW she had just turned 5 and she is very petite. We did NOT take her stroller and I don't regret it one bit! No hassle with the busses, we could just walk on and off the attractions. We felt that 5 years old is too old for a stroller and the only time she was tired and need Daddy to carry her was after the fireworks heading back to the resort. And she was a daily napper leading up to the trip - out of 7 days, we only went back to the resort twice for naps and she was absolutely fine. Don't underestimate your children - DD was absolutely wonderful the entire trip with NO stroller and virtually no naps!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

My oldest dd is 8 and my little one is 6, we used to take our own, but it was a hassle to get on and off the bus. And we actually hadnt used a stroller at home in years so we dont have them anymore. Now we rent a double and thank goodness for those. They are easy to handle. My daughters are very petite, they are into gymnastics, soccer and cheerleading, but their little legs give out in the middle of the day. I have to keep in mind that it is much hotter than what they are used to, we are walking much more than we do on an average day and we are up later than we are at home. It is alot on their little bodies and the stroller gives them a rest so that we can enjoy the day on our vacation. Especially in Epcot. I found that park to be much harder on them.
I bring ribbons and attach them. All the strollers look alike so you will want to decorate yours so that you can find it.

 

[Fabinva]

We prepaid rental for double stroller for DD4 and DS6, they were both able to fit and it was great to be able to move faster around parks instead of waiting for the slow little legs to catch up.

 

[barnaby1]

I must have a really strange child. She is 23 months and we have just returned from a 12 day trip to WDW. The only time she rode in her stroller is when I wanted her to have her lunchtime sleep or if we had to get somewhere in a hurry. Otherwise she walked almost everywhere. She asked to be carried occasionally but that was more just for a cuddle I think because given the choice between walking and riding in the stroller she chose the former everytime.

The days we went back to the hotel for a proper sleep after lunch we didn't even take her stroller and it was so much easier getting on and off buses etc without it. I can't even begin to imagine her using a stroller at age 5.

She is the same at home, I usually don't take it with me most places. I think it depends what you child is like at home. I have known some people to start their family on "walks" as a build up to their WDW holiday so that everyones' stamina is ready.

 

[casper_jj11]

KariC - what kind of double jogger do you have?

Joanne

 

[DevilDuckie]

The first time we took DD to WDW she had just turned 5 and she is very petite. We did NOT take her stroller and I don't regret it one bit! No hassle with the busses, we could just walk on and off the attractions. We felt that 5 years old is too old for a stroller and the only time she was tired and need Daddy to carry her was after the fireworks heading back to the resort. And she was a daily napper leading up to the trip - out of 7 days, we only went back to the resort twice for naps and she was absolutely fine. Don't underestimate your children - DD was absolutely wonderful the entire trip with NO stroller and virtually no naps!

Ditto. My son did fine at 5 without a stroller- in fact I think he'd have sunk through the ground in shame if I'd tried to put him in one. There was a little late night piggyback riding but other than that he was a-ok.

 

[yellowtink]

I have a question for the original poster. Are you flying?

yellowtink

 

[ittybittybabynurse]

Sorry if this was already covered, but what does the stroller rental run per day?

Thanks!!

 

[TJA]

Just got back, and I'm glad (I think) that we took our double stroller. I found that the five year old twins rode more than the 7 month old baby brother. He was in a carrier.....

As far as "signs"....when you rent a stroller, they give you a half-sheet of cardstock (so 5.5x8.5 maybe) to write your last name on. You slide it in the see-thru plastic sleeve on the back of the stroller to indicate "Back off, this is the Smith's family stroller"......(don't really write that. Just write Smith Family.....it should indicate to others to back off. KWIM?)

When you have your own, though, it is very very very handy when they fall asleep after a long day. If you rent, you have to turn it in at the park, and then convince your child to sleep walk to the transportation. Then, after they have slept on the bus/boat/monorail/car, you then need to convince them to walk to their hotel room. This has proven to be difficult.

ETA: we take a double jogger. kids swear they're more comfortable. this jogger has never been jogged with. however, it works well at WDW, and we saw lots of other families with this stroller on this trip. (we took it 2.5 years ago, didn't take it one year ago....which is why I know how hard it is when your kids are sleep walking. Or not sleep walking and pregnant mommy must carry one).

Agree and relate to this post 110%!! Our twins are 4 and we take a double jogger, a Dreamer, but I just bought a Baby Jogger City Series Double and am so excited to take that in a couple months! It is heavenly in Disney to have this for outside of the parks especially. I agree about the walking to the bus and also the hotel walking at night. We stay at the Epcot resorts mainly, so we do a lot of boardwalk walking and also walking to Epcot and HS/MGM.

Good luck OP with your decision!